Toddlers Online

This article amazed me! It's a US study, but seeing as we sort of follow our southern neighbours it is probably amost the same in Canada. Kids are growing up having their lives documented in cyberspace. Somehow I sort of think this is an invasion of their privacy and rights. I guess kids have to trust their parents until they choose to put their own voice on the internet, which is happening at a younger and younger age. I mean there is social networking sights for 5 year olds! Yes they are "friendly" but there is no mental strainer when you are that age to know what to put on there or not! I just have such mixed feelings about it all. What do you think?
92% of U.S. Toddlers Have Online Presence

a fresh beginning

I've accepted that I probably wont write here every day, but I feel like my life is taking another turn and there is some new stuff happening so a fresh look and renewed commitment to sharing might actually happen! hopefully!

I guess the newest is that I've started attending Canadian University College in Lacombe Alberta. I like Lacombe...its a small city but retains a cute town feel. I'm in two psychology classes, a sociology class, a history class, and a international health and wildreness first aid class which is great! So far we've mostly talked about bodily excretions due to parasties and bacteria. yum!

Well, more to come....really ;

Literary Surprise

I recently finished reading the "Millenium Series". If that name doesn't ring any bells, it might help if I say "the girl with the dragon tattoo" books. I was introduced to them on a recent trip to europe; my traveling companion was reading the first one, as was another random airline passenger in the row next to us. I figured it was another New York times best seller that I probably wouldn't read. But, then I read through the book I brought along with me; a small paperback I haphazardly pulled off my parents bookshelf without really being interested in it, but that looked like the right size for a backpacking trip. So when my travel partner was done that dazzling yellow book and I had watched her enter rapturously into its pages, hardly able to come back into reality, when in some of europe's most amazing cities, I thought maybe I'd start it and see if it was worth my time. And, whatever, I had some train time I needed to fill anyway...

A trip to Paris from the south of France was never so short! After a laborous first chapter, this book and the next one and the next one held me in a sort of trance. In fact, they held me like a tractor beam, past Europe and back home for two months, that was so strong it was like living in altered reality. I couldn't not finish these books. I borrowed the first one, bought the second one, and read the third one entirely in the book store! Except for once when I purchased it only to return if a few hours later after reading in a coffee shop for the afternoon. The content affected my emotions considerably with a range from interest, to wonder, to happiness, and even outright fear. Some nights I didn't want to turn my lights out in fear of the pictures swirling in my imagination. It wasn't until I finished the final chapter in the series that I could see the progression of content, and the progression of how they were supposed to make me, as a woman actually FEEL. You see, these books are primarily about women. Strong women. I would almost venture to say feminist, but not directly. Instead it is a celebration, in a sense, of the characteristics that comprise a women who will not let herself be dominated, held back, trod upon, humiliated, subjugated, used, manipulated or thought less of.

It is this progression that makes these books so amazing. It is a journey through the pages, of hopelessness at first; yes, hopelessness and disgust and anger at what you're reading about used and abused women, and it makes you want to cry and scream and just stop reading (and not turn your lights out). But the story continues and the strength grows, and in the end the lead female character prevails in all her imperfectness. But its not only her struggle and triumph that speaks to the strength of woman. Each and every female character in these books is strong and in many ways triumphant in their own roles. Each exudes independence, confidence, and an uncompromising attitude of self-assurance among male counterparts.

I am interested to know why these books were written; if there was a greater purpose or desired outcome for readers than literary enjoyment. I am also interested in what will come of them when the pop culture craze and hype and even movies are finished. Will they be a forgotten new york number one, or will their message be enough to make them classic? I don't think so, I think most people will read them because of the hype and then forget them while moving on to the next popular read. What I hope people don't forget; what I hope people get from these books and hold on to is this notion of persistent, unbreakable strength of character embodied in the uniqueness of who people are. What I also hope is that women will be celebrated. It is a sad reality that these books speak of. Women continue to be abused and thought less of all over the world, when it is woman who time and time again are the backbone, glue and heart of communities. People speak of empowerment and voice. Yes!

I am not a feminist, but I am a women and I am strong, I also know the need for man. I also believe in love and respect across genders where, as people, we accept and understand gifts and roles that are divinely given. So i'm probably missing some great revelation that these books give, and maybe i'm sucking out of them what I want to hear, but even if its not in there, this is a message our world needs.

the blog that hardly changes

i'm trying to make a decision....

do i keep this blog? and commit to being a little more faithful to it...

OR

do i end this attempt at online expression...

I'm torn. I'm terrible at decisions...especially when it means black or white, yes or no, where there is no compromise with another choice...i'm realizing I tend to want all options, and often try a lot without pursuing a lot to complete ends. What does this mean for my relationship with Jesus? Am I living for Him completely? Do I pursue Him above all else? When it comes to deciding against another option in a situation that tears at me...will it be black and white, yes or no with no compromise?

I want it to be...I fiercely want it to be.

Its my decision.

pies from end to beginning...

My pride and joy. A beautiful cherry pie.

The runners' up, pumpkin 1 and pumpkin 2 (although these were the winners according to my family)

These are just empty shells of their former selves... (teehee)

oh the dough.

And finally what makes it all possible...LARD.
Yay for the most fattening of all substances.

my mission should I choose to accept it...

I'm about to embark on a VERY serious mission...

...I am...

...about to make this years thanksgiving dinner pumpkin pies.

If you didn't already know this about me...i don't like pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is the one holiday where dessert doesn't tempt me in the least. I am happy to make the pie though. It's funny how thanksgiving is so much about the pie, but I guess no more than Easter often becomes about the chocolate. This year I am thankful I am able to be at home to spend this holiday with my family. I am also thankful for other pie fillings...like cherry..and since I am making the pies I will include one of those as well :)

It's a big world after all

Suddenly, as the rope coiled around my body, the spikes strapped onto my feet, and the bug eyed polarized glasses went onto my face....I felt like a mountaineer. Amazing. I was learning how to survive on the ice, climb the ice, move on the ice and in the process love the ice. Despite the numb toes, then the thawing toes bringing on what's descriptively called the "screaming barfies", and the exhaustive climbing we were accomplishing goals and it felt great!

The glacier has a mind of its own...it moves, changes shape and forms beautiful patterns in response to the shifting weather. It's a playground and yet it also has no mercy, a fall off the "monkey bars" will usually mean more than a scraped knee. Every move needs to be thought out, intentional, firm...every step secure.

At certain moments I would look back down the valley and marvel at God's majesty! He formed these huge masses of rock with His hands, and made it possible for me to enjoy them...created in me the capacity to love them and love Him through them. What a gift!

I was happy and content perched precariously on the edges of cliffs...

...knowing I was safe in God's hands and feeling free.